AUS v IND 2020-21: Virat Kohli reduces gap on Steve Smith in latest ICC Test batsman rankings

Kohli will miss the remaining three Tests of the series after being granted paternity leave by BCCI.

Indian captain Virat Kohli, who made an impressive 74 in the first innings of the first Test against Australia in Adelaide has gained two points in the latest ICC Test rankings for batsmen. With this, he has also closed in on the no.1 ranked Steve Smith.

Kohli's first innings of 74 enabled him to gain two points, whereas Smith's 1 & 1* lost him 10 points in the table. In the latest rankings announced by the ICC on Sunday, Smith has 901 points while Kohli has 888.

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Marnus Labuschagne's innings of 47 and 6 in such a low-scoring match have pushed him to a career-best 839 points. Whereas, Australia captain Tim Paine's player-of-the-match innings of 73 not out has lifted him with a career-best of 33rd place with 592 points.

With the ball, Pat Cummins took seven wickets in the match to gain six points and move from 904 to 910, which is a comfortable lead over Stuart Broad (845) in second place.

Josh Hazelwood's astonishing figures of 5/8 in India's second innings helped him gain four spots and move back into the top five with 805 points, the first time since March 2018.

With four wickets in the first innings of the Adelaide Test, R Ashwin overtook Jasprit Bumrah to become India’s top-ranked bowler, currently in ninth place.

India and Australia will now lock horns in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, beginning December 26. Virat Kohli will not be available for the remaining three Tests as he heads back home after being granted paternity leave by the BCCI.

(ANI inputs)